As a frequent business traveler you will no doubt face a long-haul flight at some stage. Hopping on a plane for an hour can seem like an easy job, some people drive for longer than that to get to work! However, facing down a 12-hour flight with a 4-hour layover would be daunting for anybody, even the most seasoned of traveler. Unfortunately, a long-haul flight is just as bad for our bodies as it is for our minds. Long-haul flights are an unnatural and not very comfortable environment to be in and it can have some serious negative effects on your health and well-being. The average business traveler takes 6.8 trips per year. Most of these will be shorter trips but it is likely that at least one or two will be long-haul. Read on the find out how a long-haul trip affects your body and what you can do to ease the effects.
Your taste buds change
A study commissioned by Lufthansa in 2010 found that your taste bud change when in the air. Due to the pressurized cabin and the dry, recycled air, travelers sense of smell and taste is numbed, making food taste bland and uninteresting.
Sitting for prolonged periods
A sedentary lifestyle can have serious and prolonged negative effects on your body and mind. Airports and air travel are notorious for sitting and waiting and not moving very much at all. We use much less energy sitting than standing and sitting for prolonged periods can increase the risk of obesity and other related diseases. It is no wonder that frequent business travelers are 92% more likely to be obese than those that do not travel often for work. Sitting for prolonged periods can also cause reduced circulation, especially in the legs putting travelers at risk of DVT.
Dehydration and low oxygen will make you feel sleepy
Dehydration is a common problem from frequent travelers. Not only do we tend to drink less (no one want’s to be dying for the bathroom while in line to board the plane!) but the reduced moisture in the cabin air can also cause problems for us. Dry skin, scratchy eyes and headaches are all a symptom of dehydration and reduced oxygen in recycled cabin air can also cause headaches and leave you feeling sleep and zapped of energy.
You may get gassy
Flying thousands of feet in the air in a pressurized tube is a bit of a shock to the system. You may have noticed on your last flight that you were feeling a bit more bloated and gassier than normal. This is due to shifts in cabin pressure which causes the natural gas in your gut to expand. Check out these great tips from travel wellness expert Sara Quiriconi on how to prevent bloating while traveling.
One of the worst things about a long-haul flight is that it is almost impossible to arrive feeling fresh and energized. Even if you get to sleep on the plane it will never be a very good quality sleep and sitting in cramped conditions in the same clothes on a plane for hours will no doubt leave you feeling that you desperately need a shower to freshen up. One of the best options if you are a frequent long-haul flyer is to invest in a Sanctifly membership. You can get access to airport gyms, pool and spas (with showers) all over the world and help combat the effects of long-haul travel. Here are some other great tips for combating the effects of long-haul travel.
Choose your seat in advance
Paying the extra money to choose your seat is something most business travelers consider a necessity. Although you cannot choose who you will be sitting next to at least you can potentially avoid the dreaded middle seat when you choose your own. Many people prefer the window seat while traveling as it gives you something to look at however the aisle seat is the best option for long-haul flights. You get a little extra room to stretch your legs and you can get up and move around as much as you like without disturbing your neighbour. If you have the opportunity book a seat in an exit row or at the front of the plane so you can get more legroom.
Bring food with you
Packing your own snacks is the best way to not only combat hunger during a long-haul flight, but also irritation. If you have not eaten in a while and your only option is process, unappetizing and increasingly expensive airplane food, it may not put you in the best mood for the rest of your journey. This is especially important if you are going to have a stopover at night in a smaller airport. During the night smaller airports often have little more to offer than a vending machine. Pack some tasty snacks to keep you going throughout the flight and ensure that you arrive full and satisfied, believe me it is well worth the luggage space!
Bring an in the air sleep kit
We often encourage frequent travelers to pack a sleep kit with them while on the road so that they can make their hotel room feel more like home and get a better night’s sleep. The sleep kit for the plane won’t be that different from the one you pack for your destination, although we don’t recommend spraying lavender spray in the cabin! Include a large scarf to act as a blanket and a travel pillow to your in the air kit and try to get some sleep on the plane.
Dress comfortably
You might need to put on your suit for your next meeting but that doesn’t mean you have to sit for hours in it. Dress comfortably for the plane, choose something flexible and breathable so you can have the most comfortable flight and schedule in some time to get changed on arrival if you need to head straight to a meeting. Baubax is a great option for clothes made specifically for traveling.